Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Garrett Meurs scored 52 goals with 43 assists in 67 games for the Huron Perth Lakers midget minor AAA team. He was selected by the Plymouth Whalers in the first round (13th overall) of the 2009 OHL Priority Draft.

2009-10: Meurs debuted with the Plymouth Whalers, playing in 62 games and posting 16 goals and 18 assists as a rookie that season. The impressive rookie went on to tally 1 goals and 2 assists in 9 post season appearances for the Whalers. Was named the Whalers team Rookie of the Year.

2010-11: Meurs seemed to run in place in his second OHL season, putting up 10 goals and 30 assists in 68 games. He almost tripled his PIMs (from 22 in 2009-10 to 61 in 2010-11) but failed to improve on his playoff totals, again putting up 1 goal and 2 assists, this time in 11 games.

2011-12: Meurs scored 20 goals for the first time in his three years with Plymouth on a Whalers team that scored the second-most goals in the OHL while winning the West Division. He also had 33 assists for a career-high 53 points in 67 games and was plus-19 with 67 penalty minutes. Meurs missed the Whalers playoff run after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Plymouth reached the second round.

2012-13: Meurs led Plymouth in scoring in his fourth season with the Whalers. He scored 32 goals with 33 assists and was +18 with 66 penalty minutes. Plymouth finished first in the West Division and reached the OHL Western Conference finals. Meurs scored 7 goals with 7 assists and was +2 with 22 assists in 15 playoff games. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Avalanche in March, 2013.

2013-14: Meurs skated in 64 of 76 games for Colorado AHL affiliate Lake Erie in his first pro season. He scored 6 goals with 8 assists and was minus-5 with 74 penalty minutes. The Monsters missed the AHL playoffs; finishing fourth in the North Division.

Talent Analysis

Meurs is a blue collar hockey player and his hustle has made him a coach’s favorite. His lack of ability to carry his offense over to the professional level from the junior level has been a concern.

Future

Meurs attended training camp with Colorado before being assigned to AHL affiliate Lake Erie to start the 2014-15 season. After appearing in just three games with the Monsters he was assigned to the ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets in November. One of the last players signed before Joe Sakic took over running things in May 2013, Meurs has a skill set that doesn't seem to fit the skating, speed style now played by the Avalanche. Long-term he projects as an energy and passion lower line player — though whether he can play that role at the NHL level is a matter of conjecture.